volley theory
the principle that individual fibers in an auditory nerve respond to one or another stimulus in a rapid succession of rhythmic sound stimuli, whereas other fibers in the nerve respond to the second, third, or nth stimulus. The result is that successive volleys of impulses are fired to match the inputs of stimuli, yet no single fiber is required to respond to every stimulus. Thus, a nerve can reflect a more rapid frequency of stimulation (e.g., 1000 Hz) than any individual fiber could follow. Also called volley principle. See also hearing theories. [proposed in 1949 by Ernest Glen Wever]